Definition of Bones of the head

Bones of the head: There are 29 bones in the human head. They consist of 8 cranial bones, 14 facial bones, the hyoid bone, and 6 auditory (ear) bones.

• The 8 cranial bones are the frontal, 2 parietal, occipital, 2 temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
• The 14 facial bones are the 2 maxilla, mandible, 2 zygoma, 2 lacrimal, 2 nasal, 2 turbinate, vomer and 2 palate bones.
• The hyoid bone is horseshoe-shaped bone at the base of the tongue.
• The 6 auditory ossicles (little bones) are the malleus, incus and stapes in each ear.

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8644
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM